Although the media and a recent motion picture have focused on traumatic brain injuries caused by contact sports such as football, motor vehicle accidents constitute a more common cause of head injuries that result in traumatic brain damage. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1.7 million people in the U.S. suffer traumatic brain injuries each year. Since 17.3 percent of these TBIs result from motor vehicle collisions, approximately 294,100 people per year suffer a brain injury in vehicle crashes. In this blog, our Cobb County personal injury lawyers answer frequently asked questions about TBIs experienced in auto accidents.

What types of head injuries do vehicle occupants experience in collisions?

Traumatic brain injuries can take two forms: (1) closed head injuries and (2) open head injuries. A closed head injury is far more common among traffic collision victims. In this type of head injury, the brain suffers trauma but without any penetration of the skull. This kind of brain injury usually occurs in a crash when a driver or passenger's head hits the dashboard, windshield, or steering wheel. Closed head injuries can be dangerous because there might not be obvious external signs of potentially life-threatening conditions, such as bleeding that increases pressure on the brain. Moreover, a closed head injury can occur even without the head striking an object when the brain strikes the inside of the skull. Open head injuries involve actual penetration of the skull and brain by a foreign object. When an open head injury occurs, the severity of the injury often will likely be more apparent than with a closed head injury.

Can a serious head injury occur even if my head did not impact an object during the collision?

Some people do not realize that even the sheer force of a collision can be the cause of severe trauma to the brain. When the head is suddenly twisted or thrown forward in a motor vehicle collision, the brain will move around inside the skull. This movement can cause brain injuries in several ways. First, the brain can strike the inside of the hard bony skull when the head stops moving, but the brain continues its momentum. Second, the brain has billions of nerve cells that communicate with other distant cells through long nerve fibers. These fibers can be damaged when they are stretched during a car accident. This type of injury, referred to as a "diffuse axonal injury," can result in a coma.

Do I need to see a doctor if I feel fine after a crash even though I bumped my head?

Brain injuries can be severe and debilitating even without significant symptoms. If you bumped your head or had your head thrown violently in a particular direction or twisted during a crash, you should visit your doctor or the emergency room. Many head injuries do not display obvious signs immediately. However, bleeding inside the brain might cause increasing pressure on the brain. While promptly relieving the pressure might prevent serious permanent damage, the decision to neglect seeking medical attention can result in permanent damage from the pressure created by swelling and bleeding inside the skull.

Should I contact an attorney?

Our attorneys at Montlick & Associates have experience analyzing accident scenes and medical evidence so that we can build a compelling claim for damages for our clients. Our lawyers also have an established network of medical experts and accident reconstruction experts with whom we work closely, depending on the circumstances of the case. Our attorneys have experience representing traumatic brain injury victims, which we rely on when gathering evidence, developing factual and legal arguments, and creating persuasive presentations of the facts. If you have suffered a head injury as a result of someone else's negligence, contact our lawyers for a free consultation as to your legal rights and options. Due not delay in seeking legal assistance, as you have a limited amount of time to pursue a claim.

Put Our Law Firm's Over 30 Years of Experience to work For Your Accident Claim

If you or a loved one has been injured in a collision that caused a traumatic brain injury, our personal injury attorneys can advise you on what legal rights you may have as well as what steps are necessary to protect those rights. Our firm has been representing those who suffer serious injuries in Atlanta and in the Southeast for over thirty years, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state.

No matter where you are located, the attorneys of Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

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Please Note:Many of our blog articles discuss the law. All information provided about the law is very general in nature and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Every situation is different, and should be analyzed by a lawyer who can provide individualized advice based on the facts involved in your unique situation, and a consideration of all of the nuances of the statutes and case law that apply at the time.